[Greens-Media] SENATOR NETTLE: Immigration Department confirms new laws allow Minister to make political exemptions

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

26.05.06

Immigration Department confirms new laws allow Minister to make
political exemptions 

In response to questioning by Senator Nettle Department of Immigration
officials today confirmed that proposed new laws allow the minister to
discriminate politically by exempting potential refugees from East Timor
from being sent to Nauru.

"Clearly the intention of the government is to send West Papuans to
Nauru but potential East Timorese refugees could be exempted," Senator
Nettle said.

"This law is a political fix which puts politics above human rights.

"It was very revealing that Department of Immigration officials thought
that if refugees came from East Timor alternative arrangements could be
made for them instead of sending them to Nauru.

"This is confirmation that this policy is not about border protection
but about political protection for the government's friends in Jakarta."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146